Coffee House Insider, New Oxford Coffee Co.

The New Oxford Coffee Co. is one of those places you just dive past over and over again if you aren’t looking for it. Have you ever driven through a roundabout? If not, it’s typically a four way intersection with no stop signs or lights, just yield signs and a giant circle you drive through around to get to your destination. (I love and hate roundabouts; nearly every job I’ve ever had I have always ended up driving through one of these to get to and from work. They are great if everyone knows how to use them. If not, well let’s just say I’ve almost been side swiped one too many times.) New Oxford Coffee Co. is set on the side of one of these roundabouts, as if it is almost part of it. I can’t tell you how many times I have driven past this place before that one magical night I made out the word “COFFEE” glowing in neon glory. BRAKE! Not really…I just circled the roundabout again (btw it’s kinda fun circling the roundabout over and over again) and pulled in.

Right when I stepped through the old French style doors, my heart just melted. This place was old; at one time I imagine it might have been a drug store or soda shop. One of the first things I noticed was the tin ceiling with little designs in it(Love these!) and that the dark wood floors creak under your feet. Little round tables, stuffy chairs, bar stools and a leather couch provide lots of seating. The smell of fresh ground coffee hit my nose, pulling me further in. The menu isn’t enormous, but provides all of the essentials: espresso, coffee, tea, tea latte, iced coffee, frappes etc. and of course features a glass case filled with desserts–desserts dusted with sugar, filled with chocolate, covered in crumble.

My favorite drink: When I go to coffee places I usually, nine times out of ten, get tea. I LOVE TEA! There is just so much variety when it comes to teas and so far I have liked most of everything I have tried (except Earl Gray…bleh). They had a tea blend, I can’t remember the official name of it, but I saw it contained strawberries. OH MY WORD…divine goodness! The tea definitely was harvested from some kind of strawberry heaven.

Extra features: I noticed the shop had a doorway which led to another room, it was already a decent sized coffee place so I was thinking, “Wow, there’s more? Impressive…” I walked through to discover this isn’t just a coffee house. It is actually a bakery; you can get wedding cakes, desserts that are more than brownies and scones, breads all fresh baked. If this wasn’t enough, connected also to the coffee house through the bakery is a doughnut and sandwich shop called “Holey Joe’s”. It is pretty much the Marble Slab of the doughnut world. You can create your own doughnut. You pile on the toppings (there were a ton of options–bacon the real deal, chocolate chips, crushed waffle cone, etc.), pour on the glaze (once again, lots of options); you could add ice cream, whipped cream, frosting, etc. AWESOME!I haven’t gotten a sandwich there, but the menu looked mouthwatering.

The last thing which makes this coffee shop extra special is they give proceeds to and support different areas around the world where disasters have happened or where poverty is prevalent. A corner of the shop has jewelry, handbags, scarves, etc. which are products all made from mothers, fathers, children from around the world and directly support them. New Oxford Coffee Co. is doing more than just providing eats and treats; it’s trying to make a difference in the world…even if it is just a small way.